Is it me or Joshua's voice just give all my audio devices a midbass boost of 100% ? 😂 Will have to make a separate eq profile for your videos.

A tube is just a big, old-school transistor. There is an electrical grid (often many, actually) between the cathode and anode to control how much (if any) electrons reach the anode. The high voltage travels from cathode to anode, but this voltage flow is controlled by the much lower voltage grid, just like modern transistors. Loosely speaking, your volume control will control the grid aspect. Another fun fact - 12A_7 tubes are dual-triode devices, meaning they have two separate transistors in one housing.

TLDR: I’m plus one to the comment that these RAY tubes are a noticeable upgrade to the Xduoo TA-22 stock tubes. DETAILS: Josh, you put me on to the TA-22 and I’m thankful for that. My first tube experience of my own. However, what got me started was a visit to the Schittr last Xmas time, when I discovered that (surprise!) my ears actually could like the tube effect. While enjoying the TA-22, its designation as “balanced tube DAC/amp and preamp” coupled with its modest price

Man’s out here making critically acclaimed visually impressive indie short films because wiggly air and I’m FOR IT

I think I'm in the minority, but I got the WA7 not because I was looking for something tubey/warm sounding, but because I liked how it looked and integrated with the rest of my desk setup. It looks great and is well-built, and I love how I can just switch from headphones to speakers by flipping a switch and control everything with just one big solid knob. I did think they were overpriced for what they did, but they were just the "perfect" solution - for me. (I guess from Woo Audio's perspective, the price isn't so bad when some of the cables they sell can cost hundreds of dollars.) So I did try to swap out the tubes with a different brand (I forgot which), and the sound output would pop and crackle horribly. I switched back to the stock tubes and the problem went away. Mike told me I should only use tubes which were calibrated for the WA7 and picked by Woo Audio... But this video makes me think there may yet be some interesting options out there.

3rd! the RCA Clear Top upgrade tubes provides a wider soundstage. With IEMs, anything more sensitive than 105db would hear some noise that's because at that sensitivity it doesn't need an amp to drive. lol....

It's all about the amp circuit. Most full on tube amps will have a higher noise floor when pairing them with IEMs. The higher gain on tubes, like the 12AU7/12AX7/12XXX tubes, can amplify noise on the circuit or noise from a noisy tube. The mfg can add more chokes, resistors, etc...to lower the noise floor but at a cost. Most headphones have a lower sensitivity than IEMs so this is not a problem. You won't hear it unless it's a really bad circuit or a really noisy tube. As a note - I've heard noise from most tube amps when pairing with IEMs.

Great thorough review ,enjoyed the scene changes also

I don't know much about tubes, so this was informative, thank you very much. The production, though, is absolutely mind blowing! Amazing work 😮

I like these tubes with the Xduoo TA-22

Really great video. I have a littledot tube amp an audible illusion tube amp and I find the search for tubes that will work complex. It was nice to go on this journey and hear your impressions.

I know the feeling too well I did the socket converter on my WA3 from a 6922 to a 6SN7c from PSVANE - will never roll back, and gained everything you are looking for.

Great video! I allready had my tube journey a few years ago. Now im using my little dot with custome tubes in a chain with another tube with analouge eq and a ss amp for the balanced connection. Im really happy with it sounds very tuby 😂

I see that HEDDphone 2 back there 👀

Thanks JV! It is a very tidy looking amp. 👍🏻

What a Gorgeous looking video, great editing. but as a very big noob on audio but still think i have a good ear for sound differences i would like to see a graph and or a sound comparison(i know youtube kills nuance) i have been following this channel for years and years i do trust your ear and that you can interpret and explain the difference but a graph makes it fact.

Sooo the biggest reason for expensive tubes right now is a little thing happening on the eastern border of the EU. The vast majority of tubes produced in the last 20-30 years were made in one of those countries in particular. There's also been a huge resurgence in tube amps / effects / equipment in the last 15-20 years in guitar amplification / mixing & mastering applications too. Those stock Electro-harmonix tubes for the WA-7 were standard in Electro-Harmonix tube pedals.

The best tube sounds much less than $5 DAC & AMP inside smartphone. But WA7 looks so great can't help love it.

THE FUCKING PRODUCTION QUALITY GOD DAMN. Insaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaane.

The tube amp for people who don't really like tubes. I tried this with the 800s and while it sounded good I don't think this is really a tube amp. The change in sound is very very slight, with the stock tubes, so getting different tubes to clean up the sound even more seems pointless considering how much you are paying for this device. It might be really interesting to find tubes that made it even warmer than the stock tubes though.

A tube rolling video... SWEET! 😃

Much like everything in this hobby..it’s all subjective. Yes, you can have defined and measurable performance criteria…but if you don’t like the sound ..it’s a dud. I took your advice on the LCDX 2021 Creator’s package..yup , Lokius to the “rescue “…tho given the unit variations from AUDEZE..I needed a bit more intervention to suit my tastes. Great video .😊

How long before these tubes are broken in? And what is the best way to break-in these tubes?

Dang, the thumbnail look absurdly good

That number (19 12) you couldn't identify was most likely a date code for manufacture. i.e. 12th week of 2019.

Josh, sorry if I’ve missed it but what are those tracks in the lead in and the outro, just stunning! Must have!

Them tubes should start to sound different after some burn in (50 hours) ..

It looks like reservoir/pump PC water-cooling part lol.

Where does this WA7 stand sound wise compared to the XDUOO TA20 plus? I realize these are two different price points but still curious. Is the WA7 really $1K better sounding?

I’d love to see your take on the Dyson Zone Airs.

I once did a restoration on a 1957 Cadillac that involved replacing all the tubes in the original radio. I did not pay anywhere near $180 for ORIGINAL tubes. This is F-erey of the highest order. Magic plated space cables level of F-erey.

Why does it feel like you've been watching some GxAce videos, your B-roll and background music reminds me of his videos slightly

Sorry as I’m deviating the from the subject of this video. I would appreciate anyone’s opinion (especially Joshua) on what to choose as my first hifi headphone (I should note that I watched a number of the channel videos, very informative). My budget could go up as far as 550$ (maybe 600$). I should also highlight that I’m unable to try headphones before hand, which would make this extremely easier. I’ve decided not to get the Hifiman Edition XS as I suspect that there would be a fit problem (small head). And decided not to get the Sundara as it’s argued to be bright by some users. I know it’s subjective but I don’t want to risk it. Although I listen to all kinds of music, I for the most part listen to Pink Floyd and the likes, which is the primary reason for getting an open back headphone. I just came to know the term “bright”. if I’m not mistaken, it means too much treble (new term as well), Which means too much details and crisp? At first I thought that this is a good thing, but then I remembered the audio-technica M50x that I got years ago which I believe fit the definition of bright, it wasn’t enjoyable at all. I hope I’m getting it wrong. Edit: based on my research, the original Ananda is the most suitable to me but unfortunately it’s been discontinued and is not available in my region.

im waiting for you to discover the DHt tubes world (801a/10y/45/71/2a3/01a, 26,31, and from there, there is no come back Joshua... (10y + 45 headphone amp for example)... hope you get bored on the ultra clean but sadly soulless negative feedback amps. ;)

Is that an anamorphic lens being used in the explainer bit? 😂👍🏻

A 12AX7 will have more distortion than a 12AU7. Not sure what a 12AT7 would do.

are those the heddphone twos under your monitor?

I REALLY want this amp, but im wondering if its truly worth the price for the LCD-X and Sundara that I have, both really easy to drive.

To improve the iem experience, you could just grab an iFi iEMatch, right?

I'm a big believer in stock tubes. I trust the manufacturer whether it's Schiit, Feliks, or xDuoo, Woo Audio... Tube rolling has never made me go wow that's better from my limited experience. Though I've never tried a Sylvania Bad Boy tube or anything wildly expensive like that.

These are the same tubes that xDuoo uses for the TA 22. Or is there a difference between them?

Wait, Woo audio does not sell replacement tubes?

fancy distortion generator

19 12 means made in 2019 12 month (December)

What headphones did you use to test? How do these tubes sound with the Diana V2?

Do u still have or ever use your thx 887 or 788 from monoprice?

New production tubes are not as good as NOS tubes for the similar price.

I have this amp. The headphone jack volume is very low, both the 4.4mm and 6.3. I have the amp volume on max and the computer volume on max and the sound is barely audible. Anyone have any ideas what is causing this?

FYI you mispoke. Anode is negative and cathode is positive.

Those numbers are the year and month of manufacturing.

Hmm.. They makes new tubes eventually. Sentimentals value sonically Thats wutz tubes is.. U only compare with 2 options: tubes & solid state.. Hm how bout R2R form factor?.. Perhaps e stat.. cuz firefly got e stat version also bro... Peace!

6:56 Its actually a very bad practice to squiggle the tubes while pushing, few months later you're going to start having connection probelms.

1300$ 2 much bro

Russian Tubes are the best

First comment! :)

Comment.

1+2 comment

Holy crap talk about going down a rabbit hole! You can go your whole life trying to find the perfect headphone, DAC/Amp, source, cables, etc etc! Instead of trying to find perfection which you could spend your whole life looking for and never find be happy with what you have. For me and the way I listen something wireless trumps any additional sound quality which isn’t that much to be honest if you just try and enjoy what you’re listening to and stop trying to analyze every second of every song.

second comment :D